Method of deacidizing a gas with a fractional regeneration absorbent solution

ABSTRACT

The gaseous effluent flowing in through line  1  is contacted in absorption zone ZA with the liquid absorbent solution flowing in through line  9.  The gaseous effluent depleted in acid compounds is discharged through line  2.  The absorbent solution laden with acid compounds is discharged through line  3.  The absorbent solution once laden with acid compounds comprises two phases: a first phase poor in acid compounds and a second phase rich in acid compounds. The two phases are separated in zone ZS. The first phase is recycled through lines  5  and  9  to absorption zone ZA. The second phase is fed through line  4  into regeneration zone ZR. In zone ZR, the acid compounds are separated from the absorbent solution. The acid compounds are discharged through line  7.  The regenerated absorbent solution is recycled through lines  6  and  9  to zone ZA.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Deacidizing gaseous effluents such as, for example, natural gas, synthesis gas, combustion fumes, refinery gas, Claus tail gas, biomass fermentation gas, is generally carried out by washing with an absorbent solution. The absorbent solution allows the acid compounds present in the gaseous effluent to be absorbed. The physico-chemical characteristics of this solution are closely linked with the nature of the gas to be treated: specification expected for the treated gas, selective elimination of a contaminant, thermal and chemical stability of the solution towards the various compounds present in the gaseous effluent to be treated.

Deacidizing of these effluents, notably decarbonation and desulfurization, imposes specific requirements on the absorbent solution:

-   selectivity towards carbon dioxide in relation to oxygen and     nitrogen in the case of fumes, in relation to hydrocarbons in the     case of natural gas, -   thermal stability, -   chemical stability, notably towards the contaminants in the     effluent, i.e. essentially oxygen, SO_(x) and NO_(x), and -   low vapor pressure, in order to limit absorbent solution losses at     the deacidizing column head.

Currently, the most commonly used solvents are primary, secondary or tertiary aqueous alkanolamine solutions. In fact, the CO₂ absorbed reacts with the alkanolamine present in solution according to a reversible exothermic reaction.

An alternative to aqueous alkanolamine solutions is the use of hot carbonate solutions. The principle is based on the absorption of the CO₂ in the aqueous solution, followed by the reversible chemical reaction with the carbonates. It is known that addition of additives allows the solvent efficiency to be optimized.

Other decarbonation methods by washing with an absorbent solution such as, for example, refrigerated methanol or polyethylene glycols, are based on a physical absorption of the CO₂.

In general terms, the use of all the absorbent solutions described above involves an energy consumption for regeneration of the separation agent that is not insignificant. Regeneration of the absorbent solution is generally carried out by entrainment by a vaporized gas commonly referred to as stripping gas. The thermal energy required for regeneration is split in three parts linked with heating of the absorbent solution between the absorption stage and the regeneration stage (sensible heat of the absorbent solution), its vaporization heat and the binding energy between the absorbed species and the absorbent solution. The binding energy is all the higher as the physico-chemical affinity between the solvent compounds and the acid compounds to be removed is high. In the particular case of alkanolamines, it is more expensive to regenerate a very basic primary alkanolamine such as MonoEthanolAmine than a tertiary amine such as MethylDiEthanolAmine. The vaporization heat of the absorbent solution has to be taken into account since the thermal regeneration stage requires vaporization of a quite significant fraction of the absorbent solution in order to obtain the stripping effect that favours elimination of the acid compounds contained in the absorbent solution. This absorbent solution fraction to be vaporized is proportional to the extent of the association between the absorbed contaminant and the absorbent solution. However, an easily vaporizable absorbent solution is penalized by absorbent solution losses by entrainment upon contact between the gas feed to be treated and the absorbent solution. The part of the sensible heat is essentially linked with the absorption capacity of the absorbent solution: it is in fact proportional to the flow rate of the absorbent solution to be regenerated. The distribution of the energy cost of the regeneration stage between the sensible heat, the vaporization heat and the absorbed gas-absorbent solution binding enthalpy essentially depends on the physico-chemical properties of the absorbent solution and of the absorbed compound.

The goal of the present invention is to provide a gas deacidizing method. The invention proposes decreasing the amount of energy required to regenerate an absorbent solution laden with acid compounds.

The present invention proposes using an absorbent solution that has the property of forming two separable phases when it has absorbed a determined amount of acid compounds: a first phase rich in acid compounds and a second phase poor in acid compounds. This two-phase separation property allows to regenerate only the phase laden with acid compounds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general terms, the present invention relates to a method of deacidizing a gaseous effluent comprising at least one acid compound of the group consisting of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), mercaptans, carbon dioxide (CO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), carbon oxysulfide (COS) and carbon disulfide (CS₂), wherein the following stages are carried out:

-   -   a) contacting the gaseous effluent with an absorbent solution so         as to obtain a gaseous effluent depleted in acid compounds and         an absorbent solution laden with acid compounds, the absorbent         solution being selected for its property to form two separable         phases when it absorbs an amount of acid compounds,     -   b) separating the absorbent solution laden with acid compounds         into two fractions: a first absorbent solution fraction depleted         in acid compounds and a second absorbent solution fraction         enriched in acid compounds,     -   c) regenerating the second fraction so as to release part of the         acid compounds,     -   d) recycling the first absorbent solution fraction obtained in         stage b) and the regenerated absorbent solution obtained in         stage c) as the absorbent solution to stage a).

According to the invention, the absorbent solution can comprise a compound that reacts with at least one of said acid compounds, the reactive compound being selected from the group consisting of amines, alkanolamines, amino-acids, amino-acid alkaline salts, amides, ureas, alkaline metal phosphates, carbonates and borates.

Furthermore, the absorbent solution can comprise a solvation compound selected from the group consisting of water, glycols, polyethylene glycols, polypropylene glycols, ethylene glycol-propylene glycol copolymers, glycol ethers, alcohols, ureas, lactames, N-alkylated pyrrolidones, N-alkylated piperidones, cyclotetramethylene sulfones, N-alkylformamides, N-alkylacetamides, ether-ketones, alkyl phosphates and derivatives thereof.

Besides, the absorbent solution can comprise a salt selected from the group consisting of alkaline salts, alkaline-earth salts, metal salts and amine salts.

According to the invention, one of the following separation techniques can be used in stage b): decantation, centrifugation, filtration.

In stage c), the second absorbent solution fraction can be distilled so as to produce a regenerated absorbent solution depleted in acid compounds by releasing acid compounds in gaseous form.

Alternatively, in stage c), the second fraction can be expanded so as to produce a liquid by releasing acid compounds in gaseous form, then the acid compounds released can be discharged and the liquid can be separated into a first regenerated absorbent solution portion that is depleted in acid compounds and a third absorbent solution fraction. In this case, the third absorbent solution fraction can be expanded so as to produce a second regenerated absorbent solution portion depleted in acid compounds and acid compounds released in gaseous form by expansion. It is also possible to distil the third absorbent solution fraction so as to produce a second regenerated absorbent solution portion depleted in acid compounds by releasing acid compounds in gaseous form.

The method according to the invention can be applied to the treatment of a gaseous effluent selected from the group comprising natural gas, synthesis gas, combustion fumes, refinery gas, Claus tail gas, biomass fermentation gas.

In the case of an application of the method according to the invention to the absorption of the carbon dioxide present in combustion fumes or natural gas, to the treatment of Claus tail gas or to the desulfurization of natural gas and of refinery gas, an absorbent solution comprising one of the following reactive compound/solvation compound pairs can be used: N,N,N′,N′,N″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine/water, N,N,N′,N′,N″-pentamethyldipropylenetriamine/water, N,N-Bis(2,2-diethoxy-ethyl) methylamine/water, N,N-dimethyldipropylenetriamine/tetraethylenegylcol dimethyl-ether and N,N-dimethyldipropylenetriamine/water.

The method according to the present invention affords the advantage of regenerating only a fraction of the absorbent solution, and thus of limiting the amount of energy required for regeneration of the absorbent solution.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Other features and advantages of the invention will be clear from reading the description hereafter, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein:

FIG. 1 diagrammatically shows a deacidizing method with fractional regeneration of the absorbent solution,

FIGS. 2 and 3 show two embodiments of the acid compound absorption and of the separation of the absorbent solution into two phases,

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the solvent regeneration,

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the deacidizing method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In FIG. 1, the gaseous effluent to be deacidized flows in through line 1. The deacidizing method shown in FIG. 1 can be applied to the treatment of various gaseous effluents. For example, the method allows to decarbonate combustion fumes, to deacidize natural gas or a Claus tail gas. The method also allows to remove the acid compounds contained in synthesis gas, in conversion gas in integrated coal or natural gas combustion plants, and in the gas resulting from biomass fermentation.

Within the context of combustion fumes decarbonation, the typical composition of a gaseous effluent corresponds, by volume, to 75% nitrogen, 15% carbon dioxide, 5% oxygen and 5% water. Various contaminants such as SO_(x), NO_(x), Ar and other particles are also present in lower proportions, they generally represent less than 2% by volume. The temperature of these fumes ranges between 50° C. and 180° C., the pressure is generally below 15 bars.

The natural gas essentially consists of 25% to 99% by volume of hydrocarbons, essentially methane, together with hydrocarbons with generally 2 to 6 carbon atoms. The presence of carbon dioxide in proportions ranging between 1% and 75% by volume CO₂ is often observed. Other contaminants, essentially sulfur-containing compounds such as mercaptans, COS and H₂S, can be present in concentrations ranging from some ppm up to 50% by volume. The natural gas is generally available at pressures ranging between 20 and 100 bars, and at temperatures ranging between 20° C. and 60° C. The transportation conditions, the temperature and the pressure define the water content of this gaseous effluent.

Concerning Claus tail gases, their final treatment often involves hydrogenation and hydrolysis stages in order to convert the whole of the sulfur-containing species to hydrogen sulfide, itself collected by means of a deacidizing method using an alkanolamine-based solvent. A typical example of this method is the SCOT method. The gases to be treated during the absorption stage are then available at pressures often close to the atmospheric pressure and at temperatures close to 50° C., conventionally ranging between 38° C. and 55° C. These gases contain on average less than 5% by volume of H₂S, most often less than 2%, up to 50% carbon dioxide, the rest of the gas essentially consisting of nitrogen. These gases can be water saturated, for example they can contain about 5% by volume of water.

The other gaseous effluents requiring deacidizing for safety or transportation reasons, or according to their use, such as synthesis gas, conversion gas in integrated coal or natural gas combustion plants, gas resulting from biomass fermentation, have very variable availability conditions depending on their origin, notably as regards the temperature, pressure, composition of the gas and its acid gas concentrations.

In general terms, the acid compounds to be removed from the gaseous effluent flowing in through line 1 are Brönsted acids such as hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) or mercaptans, notably methylmercaptan and ethylmercaptan, and Lewis acids such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), or carbon oxysulfide (COS) and carbon disulfide (CS₂). These acid compounds are generally encountered in proportions ranging between some ppm and several percents, for example up to 75% for CO₂ and H₂S in natural gas.

The gaseous effluent flowing in through line 1 can be available at pressures ranging between the atmospheric pressure for postcombustion fumes and 150 bars, preferably 100 bars for natural gas. In the case of low-pressure gaseous effluents, a compression stage can be provided in order to reach pressure ranges favouring implementation of the present invention. The temperature of this effluent generally ranges between 0° C. and 300° C., preferably between 20° C. and 180° C., considering a natural gas as well as a combustion fume. It can however be controlled (by heating or cooling) in order to favour capture of the acid compounds by the absorbent solution.

The gaseous effluent flowing in through line 1 is contacted in absorption zone ZA with the liquid absorbent solution flowing in through line 9. Conventional techniques for contacting a gas and a liquid can be used: bubble column, plate column, packed column, with random or stacked packing, stirred reactors in series, membrane contactors.

The absorbent solution is selected for its aptitudes to absorb the acid compounds in zone ZA. The gaseous effluent depleted in acid compounds is discharged from zone ZA through line 2. The absorbent solution laden with acid compounds is discharged from zone ZA through line 3.

Furthermore, according to the invention, the absorbent solution is selected for its property to form at least two separable phases when it has absorbed a determined proportion of acid compounds, under predetermined thermodynamic conditions. The solution laden with acid compounds forms a first phase comprising the molecules of the absorbent solution that have not reacted with the acid compounds and a second phase comprising the molecules of the solution that have reacted with the acid compounds.

The contacting technique used in zone ZA is suited to the nature and to the formation properties of the two phases.

The absorbent solution can consist of one or more compounds reactive with or having a physico-chemical affinity with the acid compounds and possibly one or more solvation compounds. An absorbent solution comprising compounds reactive with the acid compounds is preferably selected. The compound(s) possibly used for solvation of the reactive compound(s) can carry functions reactive with the acid compounds to be treated.

The reactive compounds can be any compound whose reaction with one or more acid compounds, for example H₂S, CO₂ or SO₂, or mercaptans, or COS or CS₂, leads to the formation of a second phase, for example liquid or solid. Thus, absorption of one or more acid compounds by the absorbent solution leads to the formation of an equilibrium between two liquid phases or between a liquid phase and a solid phase. The absorbent solution is preferably selected so as to form two liquid phases when it has absorbed a determined amount of acid compounds.

The nature of the reactive compounds can be selected according to the nature of the acid compound(s) to be treated to allow a reversible chemical reaction with the acid compound(s) to be treated. The chemical structure of the reactive compounds can also be selected so as to furthermore obtain increased stability of the absorbent solution under the conditions of use.

The reactive compounds can be, by way of non limitative example, amines (primary, secondary, tertiary, cyclic or not, aromatic or not, saturated or not), alkanolamines, polyamines, amino-acids, amino-acid alkaline salts, amides, ureas, alkaline metal phosphates, carbonates or borates.

The reactive compounds comprising an amine function preferably have the following structure:

X represents an amine function (N—R⁶) or an oxygen atom (O) or a sulfur atom (S) or a disulfide (S—S) or a carbonyl function (C═O) or a carboxyl function (O═C—O) or an amide function (O═C—N—R⁶) or a phenyl.

n and m are integers. n can have any value from 0 to 6, preferably from 0 to 4, and m any value from 1 to 7, preferably from 1 to 5.

R⁵ represents either a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon chain, branched or not, saturated or not, comprising 1 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 8 carbon atoms.

R¹, R², R³, R⁴ and R⁶ represent either a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon chain, branched or not, saturated or not, comprising 1 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 8 carbon atoms, or they have the following structure:

n and p are integers. n can have any value from 0 to 6, preferably from 0 to 4, and p any value from 0 to 7, preferably from 0 to 5. R³ and R⁴ have the same definition as above, they can be identical or of a different nature.

R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵ and R⁶ are defined so as to possibly form cycles or heterocycles, saturated or not, aromatic or not, by associating them two by two.

By way of non limitative example, the reactive compounds comprising an amine function can be selected from the following list: monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, 2-(2-aminoethoxy)ethanol, N,N-dimethylaminoethoxyethanol, N,N,N′-trimethyl-N′-hydroxyethyl -bisaminoethylether, N,N-bis-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N-isopropanolamine, N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N,N-diisopropanolamine, N,N-dimethylethanolamine, N-methylethanolamine, N-methyldiethanolamine, diiso-propanolamine, morpholine, N-methylmorpholine, N-ethylmorpholine, N,N-dimethyl-1,3-propanediamine, N,N,N-tris(3-dimethylaminopropyl)amine, N,N,N′,N′-tetra-methyliminobispropylamine, N-(3-aminopropyl)morpholine, N-(2-dimethyl-aminoethyl)morpholine, 3-methoxypropylamine, N-(2-aminoethyl)piperazine, bis-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)ether, 2,2-dimorpholinodiethylether, N,N′-dimethylpiperazine, N,N,N′,N′,N″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine, N,N,N′,N′,N″-pentamethyldipropylenetriamine, N,N-Bis(2,2-diethoxyethyl)methylamine, 3-butyl-2-(1-ethyl-pentyl) oxazolidine, 3-ethyl-2-methyl-2-(3-methylbutyl)oxazolidine, 1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidone, 1-(2-methylpropyl)-4-piperidone, N,N,N′,N′-tetraethyl-ethylenediamine, N,N,N′,N′-tetraethyliminobisethylamine, 1,1,4,7,10,10-hexamethyl-triethylene-tetramine, 1-phenylpiperazine, 1-formylpiperazine, ethyl 1-piperazine-carboxylate, N,N′-di-tert-butylethylenediamine, 4-ethyl-2-methyl-2-(3-methy-lbutyl)oxazolidine, tetraethylenepentamine, triethylenetetramine, N,N-diethyldiethylenetriamine, N1-isopropyldiethylenetriamine, N,N-dimethyldipropylenetriamine, diethylenetriamine, N-(2-aminoethyl)-1,3-propanediamine, 2,2′-(ethylenedioxy)diethylamine, N-(2-amino-ethyl)morpholine, 4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine, 1,2-diaminocyclohexane, 2-piperidinoethylamine, 2-(2-aminoethyl)-1-methylpyrrolidine, ethylenediamine, N,N-diethylethylenediamine, N-phenylethylenediamine, 4,9-dioxa-1,12-dodecanediamine, 4,7,10-trioxa-1,13-tridecanediamine, 1,2,4-trimethylpiperazine, N,N′-diethyl-N,N′-dimethylethylenediamine, N,N-diethyl-N′,N′-dimethylethylenediamine, 1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane, 1,4-dimethyl-1,4-diazacycloheptane, N-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)-N′-methylpiperazine, N,N,N′,N′-tetraethylpropylenediamine, 1-[2-(1-piperidinyl)ethyl)]piperidine, 4,4′-ethylenedimorpholine, N,N,N′,N′-tetraethyl-N″-methyl-dipropylenetriamine, 4-(dimethylamino)-1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidine, 1,5,9-trimethyl-1,5,9-triazacyclododecane, 1,4,8,11-tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclo -tetradecane, N,N′-difurfurylethylenediamine, 1,2-Bis(2-aminoethyl)thioethane, Bis(2-aminoethyl)disulfide, Bis(2-dimethylaminoethyl)sulfide, 1-acethyl-2-diethylamino-ethane, 1-amino-2-benzylaminoethane, 1-acethyl-3-dimethylaminopropane, 1-dimethyl-amino-3,3-diphenylpropane, N,N-dimethylbenzylamine, 2-(dimethylamino -methyl)thiophene, N,N,5-trimethylfurfurylamine, N,N-Bis(tetrahydro-2-furanyl-methyl)amine, 2-(ethylsulfanyl)ethanamine, thiomorpholine, 2-[(2-aminoethyl) sulfanyl]ethanol, 3-thiomorpholinylmethanol, 2-(butylamino)ethanethiol, Bis(2-diethylaminoethyl)ether, 1-dimethylamino-2-ethylmethylaminoethoxyethane, 1,2,3-triaminopropane and N˜1˜-(2-aminopropyl)-1,2-propanediamine.

The solvation compounds can be all the compounds that dissolve in sufficient amount the reactive compounds or that are miscible with the reactive compounds described above and lead to the formation of two phases, liquid-liquid or liquid-solid for example, when they are associated with at least one of the reactive compounds that have reacted with one or more acid compounds, for example H₂S, CO₂ or SO₂, or mercaptans, COS or CS₂.

The solvation compounds can be preferably water, glycols, polyethylene glycols, polypropylene glycols, ethylene glycol-propylene glycol copolymers, glycol ethers, alcohols, ureas, lactames, N-alkylated pyrrolidones, N-alkylated piperidones, cyclotetramethylene sulfones, N-alkylformamides, N-alkylacetamides, ether-ketones or alkyl phosphates and derivatives thereof. By way of non limitative water, they can be water, tetraethylene glycol dimethylether, sulfolane, N-methylpyrrolidone, propylene carbonate, dimethyl propylene urea, N-methylcaprolactame, dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, formamide, acetamide, 2-methoxy-2-methyl-3-butanone, 2-methoxy-2-methyl-4-pentanone, or tributylphosphate.

The reactive compounds can represent 10 to 100% by weight of the solvent, preferably 25 to 90% by weight, and ideally 40 to 80% by weight.

The absorbent solution can possibly also contain one or more activators for favouring absorption of the compounds to be treated. It can be, for example, amines, amino-acids, amino-acid alkaline salts, alkaline metal phosphates, carbonates or borates.

The activators comprising an amine function can preferably have the structure as follows:

X represents an amine function (N—R⁶) or an oxygen atom (O) or a sulfur atom (S) or a disulfide (S—S) or a carbonyl function (C═O) or a carboxyl function (O═C—O) or an amide function (O═C—N—R⁶) or a phenyl.

n and m are integers. n can have any value from 0 to 8, preferably from 0 to 6, and m any value from 1 to 7, preferably from 1 to 5.

R⁵ represents either a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon chain, branched or not, saturated or not, comprising 1 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 8 carbon atoms.

R¹, R², R³, R⁴ and R⁶ represent either a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon chain, branched or not, saturated or not, comprising 1 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 8 carbon atoms, or they have the following structure:

n and p are integers. n can have any value from 0 to 8, preferably from 0 to 6, and p any value from 0 to 7, preferably from 0 to 5. R³ and R⁴ have the same definition as above, they can be identical or of a different nature.

R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵ and R⁶ are defined so as to possibly form cycles or heterocycles, saturated or not, aromatic or not, by associating them two by two.

R¹, R² and R⁶ are defined in such a way that at least one of them represents a hydrogen atom.

The activator concentration ranges between 0 and 30% by weight, preferably between 0 and 15% by weight of the absorbent solution.

The activators can for example be selected from the following list: monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, 2-(2-aminoethoxy)ethanol (diglycolamine), N-methylethanolamine, N-ethylethanolamine, N-propylethanolamine, N-butylethanol-amine, N-(2-aminoethyl)ethanolamine, diisopropanolamine, 3-amino-1-propanol, morpholine, N,N-dimethyl-1,3-propanediamine, N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-iminobispropylamine, N-(3-aminopropyl)morpholine, 3-methoxypropylamine, 3-ethoxypropylamine, N-(2-aminoethyl)piperazine, N-(3-aminopropyl)piperazine, N,N,N′,N′-tetraethyliminobisethylamine, 1-phenylpiperazine, 1-formylpiperazine, ethyl 1-piperazinecarboxylate, N,N′-di-tert-butylethylenediamine, 4-ethyl-2-methyl-2-(3-methylbutyl)oxazolidine, tetraethylenepentamine, triethylene -tetramine, N,N-diethyldiethylenetriamine, N˜1˜-isopropyldiethylenetriamine, N,N-dimethyl-dipropylenetriamine, dipropylenetriamine, diethylenetriamine, N-(2-aminoethyl)-1,3-propanediamine, 2,2′-(ethylenedioxy)diethylamine, N-(2-amino-ethyl)morpholine, 4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine, N-(2-aminoethyl)piperidine, N-(3-aminopropyl) piperidine, 1,2-diaminocyclohexane, N-cyclohexyl-1,3-propane-diamine, 2-piperidino-ethylamine, 2-(2-aminoethyl)-1-methylpyrrolidine, ethylene-diamine, N, N-diethyl-ethylenediamine, N-phenylethylenediamine, 4,9-dioxa-1,12-dodecanediamine, 4,7,10-trioxa-1,13-tridecanediamine, furfurylamine, N,N′-difurfuryl-ethylenediamine, 1,2-Bis(2-aminoethyl)thioethane, Bis(2-aminoethyl)disulfide, Bis(aminoethyl)sulfide, 1-amino-2-benzylaminoethane, 2-(aminomethyl)thiophene, N,N-Bis(tetrahydro-2-furanylmethyl)amine, 2-(ethylsulfanyl)ethanamine, thio-morpholine, 2-[(2-aminoethyl)sulfanyl]ethanol, 2-(butylamino)ethanethiol, 1,2,3-triaminopropane, 1,3-diaminopropane, 1,4-diaminobutane, 1,5-diamino -pentane,ehexamethylenediamine, 1,2-propanediamine, 2-methyl-1,2-propanediamine, 2-methylpiperazine, N˜2˜,N˜2˜-dimethyl-1,2-propanediamine, N˜1˜,N˜1˜-dimethyl-1,2-propanediamine, 2,6-dimethylpiperazine, 1-ethyl-3-piperidinamine, N˜1˜-(2-aminopropyl)-1,2-propanediamine, decahydroquinoxaline, 2,3,5,6-tetramethyl-piperazine, N,N-dimethyl(2-piperidinyl)methanamine, 1-(2-piperidinyl -methyl)piperidine, 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediamine, N˜1˜,N˜3˜,2-trimethyl-1,3-propanediamine, 2-(aminomethyl)-2-methyl-1,3-propanediamine, N˜1˜,N˜1˜,2,2-tetra-methyl-1,3-propanediamine, 1-methoxy-2-propanamine, tetrahydro-2-furanyl-methylamine, 2,6-dimethylmorpholine, N-methyl(tetrahydro-2-furanyl)methanamine.

The absorbent solution can also comprise one or more salts in order to lower the acid gas partial pressure at which a second phase forms by reaction of the acid gases with the reactive compound(s). These salts can be, by way of non limitative example, alkaline, alkaline-earth, metal or amine salts. The associated anion can be, by way of non limitative example, a halogenide, a phosphate, a sulfate, a nitrate, a nitrite, a phosphite or the conjugate base of a carboxylic acid. The amine(s) used for these salts can be one or more of the amines present in the absorbent solution as reactive compounds with the acid compounds, or as activator, and which are partly neutralized by one or more stronger acids than the acids present in the gaseous effluent treated. The acids used can be, by way of non limitative example, phosphoric acid, phosphorous acid, nitrous acid, oxalic acid, acetic acid, formic acid, propanoic acid, butanoic acid, nitric acid, sulfuric acid or hydrochloric acid. Other amine types totally neutralized by such acids can also be added to the absorbent solution. These salts can also result from the partial degradation of the absorbent solution, for example after reaction of the reactive compounds with a contaminant in the treated gas. The salts can also be obtained by introducing soda or potash to neutralize acids formed in the plant implementing the method. Furthermore, addition of salts can possibly be avoided in cases where the activators, the reactive compounds or any other additive are salts by nature. The salt concentration can be adjusted according to the partial pressure and to the nature of the acid compound(s) present in the gas feed to be treated, and to the implementation conditions.

The absorbent solution can also contain anti-corrosion and/or anti-foaming additives. Their nature and concentration are selected depending on the nature of the absorption solvent used, on the feed to be treated and on the implementation conditions. Their concentration in the absorbent solution typically ranges between 0.01% and 5% by weight. These agents can be vanadium oxides (for example V₂O₃) or chromates (for example K₂Cr₂O₇).

The composition of the absorbent solution is notably determined depending on the nature of the gaseous effluent to be treated and on the conditions of implementation of the deacidizing method.

For application of the method according to the invention to the decarbonation of combustion fumes, the decarbonation of natural gas, Claus tail gas treatment or natural gas and refinery gas desulfurization, an absorbent solution comprising one of the following reactive compound/solvation compound pairs is preferably used: N,N,N′,N′,N″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine/water or N,N,N′,N′,N″-pentamethyl-dipropylenetriamine/water or N,N-Bis(2,2-diethoxyethyl)methylamine/water or N,N-dimethyl -dipropylenetriamine/tetraethylenegylcoldimethylether or N,N-dimethyl -dipropylenetriamine/water.

The absorbent solution once laden with acid compounds comprises two phases and it is fed through line 3 into separation zone ZS. The two phases are separated in zone ZS. Separation can be carried out by decantation, i.e. by phase density difference under the effect of gravity. The residence time in zone ZS can be adjusted according to the settling velocity of the two phases. Phase separation techniques using centrifugation or filtration can also be used.

Separation allows to obtain a first fraction rich in molecules that have not reacted with the acid compounds. This first absorbent solution fraction is depleted in acid compounds in relation to the absorbent solution flowing in through line 3. On the other hand, separation allows to obtain a second fraction rich in molecules that have reacted with the acid compounds. This second absorbent solution fraction is enriched in acid compounds in relation to the absorbent solution flowing in through line 3.

The first fraction is discharged from zone ZS through line 5, then fed into absorption zone ZA.

The second fraction is discharged from zone ZS through line 4 and fed into regeneration zone ZR. In zone ZR, the acid compounds are separated from the absorbent solution.

Zone ZR can use regeneration by expansion and/or thermal regeneration, i.e. by temperature rise. The regeneration techniques are notably described below in connection with FIG. 4.

The acid compounds are discharged from zone ZR through line 7. The regenerated absorbent solution fraction, i.e. depleted in acid compounds, is discharged through line 6 and fed into zone ZA.

The absorbent solution circulating in line 6 and the first fraction circulating in line 5 can be mixed, then fed through line 9 into absorption zone ZA. Alternatively, the two streams circulating in lines 5 and 6 can also be introduced separately at two different points in zone ZA.

Furthermore, makeup absorbent solution can flow in through line 8 and be fed into zone ZA through line 9. This makeup solution notably allows the proportion of absorbent solution possibly lost in zone ZR to be replaced.

Absorption zone ZA and separation zone ZS can be grouped together in a single enclosure E shown in FIG. 2. The reference numbers of FIG. 2 identical to those of FIG. 1 designate the same elements.

Enclosure E comprises an absorption zone ZA in its upper part and a separation zone ZS in its lower part or, in other words, a decantation boot ZS positioned at the bottom of enclosure E. Implementation of the decantation boot allows to group zone ZA and zone ZS together in a single enclosure insofar as the decantation phenomenon is fast enough in relation to the fluid flow rates, i.e. the flow rate of the gaseous effluent and of the absorbent solution entering zone ZA. The gaseous effluent is fed into enclosure E through line 1 so as to come into contact in zone ZA with the absorbent solution flowing in through lines 9 and 15. The gaseous effluent depleted in acid compounds is discharged at the top of enclosure E through line 2. The absorbent solution laden with acid compounds flows from zone ZA into decantation boot ZS by gravity. In decantation boot ZS, a first fraction rich in compounds that have not reacted with the acid compounds is separated from a second fraction rich in compounds that have reacted with the acid compounds.

In FIG. 2, the phase laden with acid compounds settles at the bottom of the boot. There may be cases where it is the phase depleted in acid compounds that settles at the bottom of the boot. The descriptions in connection with FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 consider that the phase laden with acid compounds settles at the bottom of the phase separation device.

Line 15 allows to discharge from zone ZS a first fraction poor in acid compounds, then to introduce this first fraction into zone ZA of enclosure E.

A second fraction rich in acid compounds is discharged from enclosure E through line 4.

Absorption zone ZA and separation zone ZS can be arranged according to the layout shown in FIG. 3. The reference numbers of FIG. 3 identical to those of FIG. 1 designate the same elements.

In FIG. 3, the gaseous effluent flowing in through line 1 is contacted in mixer ZA1 with the absorbent solution flowing in through line 9. According to FIG. 3, the gas to be treated and the absorbent solution circulate in a cocurrent flow. The mixture of fluids discharged from ZA1 is fed through line 31 into a separator B2, a separating drum for example. The gaseous effluent depleted in acid compounds is discharged at the top of drum B2 through line 32. The liquid absorbent solution settles at the bottom of drum B2. A fraction of the absorbent solution rich in molecules that have not reacted with the acid compounds is discharged through line 33. A fraction of the absorbent solution rich in molecules that have reacted with the acid compounds is discharged from drum B2 through line 34.

The gaseous effluent depleted in acid compounds circulating in line 32 is contacted in mixer ZA2 with the absorbent solution flowing in through line 35 (this absorbent solution flowing in through line 35 can be a fraction of the absorbent solution flowing in through line 9). The mixture of fluids discharged from ZA2 is fed through line 36 into separating drum B3. The gaseous effluent depleted in acid compounds is discharged at the top of drum B3 through line 2. The liquid absorbent solution settles at the bottom of drum B3. A fraction of the absorbent solution rich in molecules that have not reacted with the acid compounds is discharged through line 37. A fraction of the absorbent solution rich in molecules that have reacted with the acid compounds is discharged through line 38.

The absorbent solution streams circulating in lines 33 and 37 can be gathered, then sent through line 5 into zone ZA1 and/or ZA2.

The streams of absorbent solution laden with acid compounds circulating in lines 34 and 38 can be gathered, then sent through line 4 to a regeneration zone.

Mixers ZA1 and ZA2 can be devices of static or dynamic mixer or stirred reactor type. It is also possible to use mixer settler devices that combine mixer ZA1, respectively ZA2, and settler B1, respectively B2.

According to the method shown in FIG. 3, the gas to be treated is successively fed into two mixer settler devices. Without departing from the scope of the invention, the gas can be fed into more than two mixer settler devices.

The diagram of FIG. 4 shows in detail regeneration zone ZR. The reference numbers of FIG. 4 identical to those of FIG. 1 designate the same elements.

The second absorbent solution fraction flowing in through line 4 is rich in molecules that have reacted with the acid compounds. This second fraction has to be regenerated, i.e. freed of the acid compounds it has absorbed.

Regeneration can be carried out by expansion and/or temperature rise. The diagram of FIG. 4 shows regeneration by expansion and by temperature rise.

The second fraction flowing in through line 4 is expanded through expansion means V1. The expansion means can comprise a valve, a turbine or a combination of a valve and of a turbine. Expansion allows the second fraction to be partly regenerated. In fact, the pressure drop allows to release in gaseous form part of the acid compounds contained in the second fraction, as well as the gaseous species of the feed co-absorbed in contacting zone ZA. These co-absorbed species are mainly hydrocarbons in the case of treatment of a natural gas.

The effluent obtained after expansion in V1 comprises three phases: a gas phase comprising acid compounds released by expansion, a liquid phase of regenerated absorbent solution depleted in acid compounds and a liquid or solid phase that remains laden with acid compounds. These three phases are separated in separation means B1, a drum for example. The acid compounds released by expansion are discharged through line 21. Considering the proportions of the co-absorbed species and of the acid gases in the gaseous effluent resulting from expansion, the latter can for example be retreated in order to remove the acid gases for immediate use, either by being mixed with the feed flowing in through line 1, or by being re-mixed with the acid gases coming from the regeneration stage through line 7. The part of the absorbent solution that has been regenerated is discharged through line 22. The part of the absorbent solution that is laden with acid compounds is discharged through line 23 and fed into distillation column CD.

Thermal regeneration in column CD is carried out according to conventional techniques: random or stacked packing distillation column, plate column, . . . . The conditions of implementation of the distillation performed in column CD are adjusted according to the physico-chemical properties of the solution to be regenerated. The solution temperature increase allows to release the acid compounds in gaseous form. The bottom of column CD is provided with a reboiler R. The gaseous fraction discharged at the top of column CD through line 24 is partly condensed in heat exchanger E1, then fed into drum B. The condensates collected at the bottom of drum B are introduced at the top of column CD as reflux. The effluent rich in acid compounds is discharged from drum B through line 25. The regenerated solution, i.e. the solution from the regeneration stage, is discharged at the bottom of column CD through line 26.

The streams of regenerated absorbent solution circulating in lines 22 and 26 can be mixed, then sent through line 6 to zone ZA. Alternatively, these two regenerated absorbent solution streams can be sent separately to zone ZA.

Without departing from the scope of the invention, two to three levels of regeneration by expansion can be positioned before the thermal regeneration stage.

In the case of a gaseous effluent that does not require intensive deacidizing, regeneration can consist of a succession of expansions as shown in FIG. 5. The reference numbers of FIG. 5 identical to those of FIG. 1 designate the same elements.

In FIG. 5, the gaseous effluent to be deacidized flows in through line 1 and it is fed into absorption column ZA to be contacted with the absorbent solutions flowing in through lines 41, 51, 52 and 53. The gaseous effluent depleted in acid compounds is discharged from zone ZA through line 2. The absorbent solution laden with acid compounds is discharged from zone ZA through line 3, then fed into zone ZS.

The absorbent solution laden with acid compounds is separated into two fractions in zone ZS: an absorbent solution fraction poor in acid compounds and an absorbent solution fraction rich in acid compounds.

The absorbent solution fraction poor in acid compounds is recycled by being fed into absorption column ZA through line 41.

The absorbent solution fraction rich in acid compounds is discharged through line 42, expanded through expansion means V2 (valve, turbine or combination of a valve and a turbine) to release part of the acid compounds. The effluent coming from expansion means V2 is separated in separation means B4, a drum for example. A rich gas comprising the acid compounds, and possibly co-absorbed compounds, released upon expansion is discharged from drum B4 through line 43. According to the proportions of acid compounds and of co-absorbed compounds, the gas released through line 43 can be treated with the various acid effluents, or compressed and sent back with the feed flowing in through line 1 to absorption zone ZA. A fraction of the absorbent solution depleted in acid compounds is discharged from drum B4 through line 45. A fraction of the absorbent solution rich in acid compounds is discharged from drum B4 through line 44.

The absorbent solution fraction rich in acid compounds discharged through line 44 is expanded through expansion means V3 to release part of the acid compounds. The effluent coming from expansion means V3 is separated in separation device B5, a drum for example. A rich gas comprising the acid compounds released upon expansion is discharged from drum B5 through line 47. A fraction of the absorbent solution depleted in acid compounds is discharged from drum B5 through line 48. A fraction of the absorbent solution rich in acid compounds is discharged from drum B5 through line 46.

The absorbent solution fraction laden with acid compounds discharged through line 46 is expanded through expansion means V4 to release part of the acid compounds. The effluent coming from the expansion means is separated in separation device B6, a drum for example. A rich gas comprising the acid compounds released upon expansion is discharged from drum B6 through line 49. The absorbent solution depleted in acid compounds is discharged from drum B6 through line 50.

The absorbent solution streams circulating in lines 45, 48 and 50 are respectively pumped by pumps P1, P2 and P3, then fed into zone ZA through lines 51, 52 and 53.

In FIG. 5, lines 41, 51, 52 and 53 carry the absorbent solution fractions to different levels of absorption column ZA. Alternatively, lines 41, 51, 52 and 53 can be gathered into a single line that carries the absorbent solution fractions to a single level of absorption column ZA.

The numerical examples hereafter allow the method according to the invention to be illustrated.

EXAMPLE 1

A solvent containing 80% by weight of N,N,N′,N′,N″-pentamethyl-dipropylenetriamine and 20% by weight of water is contacted at 40° C. and at atmospheric pressure in a gas-liquid contactor with a gaseous N₂—CO₂ mixture containing 30% by volume of CO₂. Absorption of the carbon dioxide in the solvent leads to demixing of the solvent into two liquid phases. The absorbed CO₂ is concentrated in the heavy phase with 70% of the water initially present in the solvent. This phase represents 28% of the total weight of solvent.

Addition of phosphoric acid (2% by mole of the amine) allows to obtain demixing with a gaseous N₂—CO₂ mixture containing 10% by volume of CO₂.

Regeneration by stripping with nitrogen or thermal regeneration by distillation of all or of a fraction of the two-phase solvent, notably the phase rich in absorbed CO₂, allows the solvent to recover its absorption capacity towards CO₂.

EXAMPLE 2

Various H₂S injections are performed on 160.5 g of a water-N,N,N′,N′,N″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine solvent of composition 25-75 % by weight, at a temperature of 40° C. in a closed reactor. When the H₂S partial pressure in the reactor exceeds 0.3 bar, separation of two liquid phases is observed. Sweeping with nitrogen allows to strip the hydrogen sulfide absorbed by the solvent which becomes a single-phase solvent again and recovers its absorption capacities.

EXAMPLE 3

Consider the case of a postcombustion fume containing 13% by volume of CO₂. Decarbonation of this effluent in order to capture 90% of the carbon dioxide is most often carried out by means of a method using an aqueous MEA solution.

The fume is treated at 40° C. by a solvent containing 30% by weight of MEA in aqueous solution. The alkanolamine is partly carbonated: 18% of the MEA is not regenerated during the regeneration stage applied to the total solvent used in the method. The energy cost in relation to the ton of CO₂ produced is essentially linked with the regeneration cost of the solvent containing up to 0.50 mole CO₂ per mole of amine when it is fed to the regeneration stage. The regeneration cost is estimated at 4.3 GJ/ton of CO₂; distributed between the sensible heat of the solvent, 10%, and especially between the vaporization heat and the reaction heat between the CO₂ and the monoethanolamine, 45% each.

In cases where, according to the invention, a tertiary amine such as N,N,N′,N′,N″-pentamethyldipropylenetriamine, 75% by weight in aqueous solution is used, a higher solvent flow rate is necessary to achieve a 90% removal of the CO₂ initially present in the fume. The tertiary nature of the amine functions of the molecule however allows to reduce the part of the energy cost linked with the reaction heat between the CO₂ and the amine. Furthermore, considering that only a fraction of the solvent is thermally regenerated, after demixing of the absorbent solution fraction rich in carbonated species, the part of the regeneration cost linked with the sensible heat of the solvent is not influenced by the solvent flow rate increase required for decarbonation. The regeneration cost is then reduced to 2.7 GJ/ton of CO₂. 

1. A method of deacidizing a gaseous effluent comprising at least one acid compound of the group consisting of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), mercaptans, carbon dioxide (CO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), carbon oxysulfide (COS) and carbon disulfide (CS₂), wherein the following stages are carried out: a) contacting the gaseous effluent with an absorbent solution so as to obtain a gaseous effluent depleted in acid compounds and an absorbent solution laden with acid compounds, the absorbent solution being selected for its property to form two separable phases when it absorbs an amount of acid compounds, b) separating the absorbent solution laden with acid compounds into two fractions: a first absorbent solution fraction depleted in acid compounds and a second absorbent solution fraction enriched in acid compounds, c) regenerating the second fraction so as to release part of the acid compounds, d) recycling the first absorbent solution fraction obtained in stage b) and the regenerated absorbent solution obtained in stage c) as the absorbent solution to stage a).
 2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the absorbent solution comprises a compound that reacts with at least one of said acid compounds, the reactive compound being selected from the group consisting of amines, alkanolamines, amino-acids, amino-acid alkaline salts, amides, ureas, alkaline metal phosphates, carbonates and borates.
 3. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the absorbent solution comprises a solvation compound selected from the group consisting of water, glycols, polyethylene glycols, polypropylene glycols, ethylene glycol-propylene glycol copolymers, glycol ethers, alcohols, ureas, lactames, N-alkylated pyrrolidones, N-alkylated piperidones, cyclotetramethylene sulfones, N-alkylformamides, N-alkylacetamides, ether-ketones, alkyl phosphates and derivatives thereof.
 4. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the absorbent solution comprises a salt selected from the group consisting of alkaline salts, alkaline-earth salts, metal salts and amine salts.
 5. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in stage b), one of the following separation techniques is used: decantation, centrifugation, filtration.
 6. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in stage c), the second absorbent solution fraction is distilled so as to produce a regenerated absorbent solution depleted in acid compounds by releasing acid compounds in gaseous form.
 7. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in stage c), the second fraction is expanded so as to produce a liquid by releasing acid compounds in gaseous form, then the acid compounds released are discharged and the liquid is separated into a first regenerated absorbent solution portion that is depleted in acid compounds and a third absorbent solution fraction.
 8. A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the third absorbent solution fraction is expanded so as to produce a second regenerated absorbent solution portion depleted in acid compounds and acid compounds released in gaseous form by expansion.
 9. A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the third absorbent solution fraction is distilled so as to produce a second regenerated absorbent solution portion depleted in acid compounds by releasing acid compounds in gaseous form.
 10. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gaseous effluent is selected from the group consisting of natural gas, synthesis gas, combustion fumes, refinery gas, Claus tail gas, biomass fermentation gas.
 11. A method as claimed in claim 1, applied to the absorption of carbon dioxide present in combustion fumes or natural gas, to the treatment of Claus tail gas or to the desulfurization of natural gas and of refinery gas, wherein an absorbent solution comprising one of the following reactive compound/solvation compound pairs is used: N,N,N′,N′,N″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine/water, N,N,N′,N′,N″-pentamethyldipropylenetriamine/water, N,N-Bis(2,2-diethoxyethyl)methyl amine/water, N,N-dimethyldipropylenetriamine/tetraethyleneglycol dimethylether and N,N-dimethyl-dipropylenetriamine/water.
 12. A method of deacidizing a gaseous effluent comprising at least one acid compound of the group consisting of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), mercaptans, carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon oxysulfide (COS) and carbon disulfide (CS2), wherein the following stages are carried out: a) contacting the gaseous effluent with an absorbent solution so as to obtain a gaseous effluent depleted in acid compounds and an absorbent solution laden with acid compounds, the absorbent solution being selected for its property to form two separable phases when it absorbs an amount of acid compounds, b) separating the absorbent solution laden with acid compounds into two fractions: a first absorbent solution fraction depleted in acid compounds and a second absorbent solution fraction enriched in acid compounds, c) regenerating the second fraction so as to release part of the acid compounds, d) recycling the first absorbent solution fraction obtained in stage b) and the regenerated absorbent solution obtained in stage c) as absorbent solution to stage a).
 13. A method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the first absorbent solution fraction obtained in stage b), the regenerated absorbent solution obtained in stage c) and a makeup absorbent solution are used as the absorbent solution to stage a).
 14. A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the makeup absorbent solution replaces absorbent solution lost in stage c). 